QUICK-RELEASE ATTACHMENT MECHANISM FOR LOAD-BEARING CARRIAGES
A quick-release attachment mechanism includes a body, a strap coupled to the body, and a tab coupled to a free end of the strap. The body includes a first end and a second end, each having a front and rear surface. A strap can be coupled proximate to one of the ends of the body so that a free strap end is hingeably movable with respect to the body. A tab can be coupled to the free end of the strap such that a free end of the tab is positionable between a first and second configuration with respect to the body. In the first configuration, the tab free end is folded over the end of the body such that the body is between the strap and the tab. In the second configuration, the tab free end is folded between the strap and the front surface of the body.
This application is based upon and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/436,072, filed on Jan. 25, 2011; the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
FIELDThe present disclosure generally relates to attachment mechanisms for attaching devices to load-bearing carriages, and more specifically, to quick-release attachment mechanisms.
Exemplary methods and arrangements conducted and configured according to the advantageous solutions presented herein are depicted in the accompanying drawings wherein:
As will be appreciated for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among the different figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the implementations described herein. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the implementations described herein can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the related relevant feature being described. Also, the description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the implementations described herein.
Several definitions that apply throughout this disclosure will now be presented. The word “coupled” is defined as connected, whether directly or indirectly through intervening components, and is not necessarily limited to physical connections. The term “webbing” refers to a member that is affixed at two ends to another structure. For example, webbing can include a belt loop, a channel, a warp, a fastening mechanism that forms a warp through which a quick-release mechanism can be woven, a retaining mechanism through which a quick-release mechanism can be inserted, or any other structure through which a quick-release mechanism to be woven, inserted, slipped, or passed.
Attachment mechanisms are typically utilized to attach articles of utility (for example, canteens, flashlights, weapons, or other equipment) to load-bearing carriages (for example, a utility vest, a utility belt, an armor vest, or other load-bearing carriage). Conventional attachment mechanisms include retaining clips, carabiners, buckles, Velcro straps, and ties. Such conventional attachment mechanisms, in particular Velcro straps, ties, and retaining clips, typically form a loop or include a loop to attach the articles of utility to the load-bearing carriages. However, the loops can catch on other structures, do not lie flat on the load-bearing carriage, and add tension to the load-bearing carriage as the article of utility typically hangs from a belt loop or strap of the load-bearing carriage.
With conventional buckles, the buckles are often complex in construction. For examples, the ends of snap buckles include two mating heads that can be bulky. Additionally, the snap buckles can require additional time and energy from the user to remove the article of utility from the load-bearing carriage, as force is required to release the mating heads of the snap buckle from each other and time is required to apply the force and multiple user-actions are required detach the article of utility from the snap buckle and the load-bearing carriage (for example, applying the force to un-snap the mating heads of the buckle, pulling the mating heads of the buckle apart, and pulling the article of utility off of the buckle). Another buckle typically used to attach articles of utility to a load-bearing carriage is a frame and prong buckle. The frame includes a prong which catches a hole of the belt strap. With the frame and prong buckles, multiple user-actions are required to remove article of utility from the load-bearing carriage. For example, the belt strap must be weaved through a first part of the frame, then pulled towards a second part of the frame to release the prong from the hole of the belt strap, then weaved out of the second part of the frame, and then the article of utility must be removed from the belt strap.
With conventional ties, the ties are manipulated to form a loop on which the article of utility is hung. As discussed above, the loop does not lie flat on the load-bearing carriage and can catch on other structures. Additionally, conventional ties are typically difficult to undo to release the article of utility from the tie. For example, specialized tools may be required to release the article of utility from the load-bearing carriage. Thus, conventional ties are often difficult and time-consuming to release. In some conventional ties, the tie loop must be cut to release the article of utility, thereby making the tie non-reusable.
Accordingly, a need remains for a reusable quick-release attachment that enhances the ease of application and removal of an article of utility to a load-bearing carriage, reduces the time to remove and apply the article of utility to the load-bearing carriage, and is not complex in construction.
In accordance with the present disclosure, a quick-release attachment mechanism for load-bearing carriages includes a body, a strap coupled to the body, and a tab coupled to the strap. The strap is coupled to the body such that the strap includes a free end that is not coupled to the body. Additionally, the strap is coupled to the body such that is hingeably movable with respect to the body. The tab is pivotably coupled to the free end of the strap such that the tab is positionable between a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration (for example a locked configuration), a free end of the tab is folded over an end of the body such that the rear surface of the body is positioned between the strap and the tab. In the second configuration (for example, an unlocked configuration), the free end of the tab has been folded over the free end of the strap such that the free end of the tab is positioned between the strap and the front surface of the body.
When the tab is placed in the second configuration, the attachment mechanism can be inserted through webbing of a device and a load-bearing carriage to attach the device to the load-bearing carriage. When the device has been attached to the load-bearing carriage, the tab can be placed in the first configuration such that the body and the webbing of at least one of the device and the load-bearing carriage is sandwiched between the strap and the tab, thereby securing the device to the load-bearing carriage. That the tab is positionable between a first and second configuration allows for quick-release of devices from load-bearing carriages. When tab is placed in the second configuration after the device has been attached to the load-bearing carriage, the attachment mechanism can be quickly pulled through the webbing of the device and the load-bearing carriage, thereby releasing the device from the load-bearing carriage. As the tab is positioned in between the strap and the body in the second configuration, the tab is free from becoming caught on the webbing of the device and the load-bearing carriage. Thus, the attachment mechanism can be quickly removed from the device and load-bearing carriage webbing to quickly detach the device from the load-bearing carriage in fewer movements than conventional attachment mechanisms. For example, with the quick-release attachment mechanism described herein, devices can be removed from load-bearing carriages in two movements or less. Further details as to the quick-release attachment mechanism of the present disclosure will be discussed in reference to
In
With the quick-release attachment mechanism 100 described herein, securing a utility device 500 to a load-bearing carriage 400 is intuitive and quick, and allows the device to be removed just as quickly. This quick-release attachment mechanism 100 does not have to be permanently mounted to either the utility device 500 or the load-bearing carriage 400 but may be integrated into the utility device or the load-bearing carriage. The quick-release attachment mechanism 100 can have various sizes and lengths to accommodate different sizes and styles of utility articles. In some implementations, when the attachment mechanism 100 attaches the utility device 500 to the load-bearing carriage 400, the attachment mechanism 100 is normally concealed behind the load-bearing carriage 400 or the utility device 500. When installed in the load-bearing carriage and the utility device, the quick-release attachment mechanism 100 is flat. Additionally, with the quick-release attachment mechanism 100 with no mechanical hinges or joints, pins or mechanical fasteners are needed to attach the utility device 500 to the load-bearing carriage 400. When the quick-release attachment mechanism 100 is threaded into webbing of the utility device 500 and the load-bearing platform 400, each tab 300 can be manipulated to secure the tab 300 across the webbing so that the utility device 500 will not become dislodged or displaced from its placement on the load-bearing carriage 400. The manipulation of either tab 300 can be reverse to allow the utility device 500 to be quickly removed at its point of attachment to the load-bearing carriage 400 (to release the device), and that addition of a handle 315 can enhance the quick removal of the utility device from the load-bearing carriage 400 with a single pull on the handle 315 to pull the attachment mechanism 100 out from the webbing of the utility device 500 and the load-bearing carriage 400.
Exemplary implementations have been described hereinabove regarding a quick-release attachment mechanism for load-bearing carriers. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the features in each of the figures described herein can be combined with one another and arranged to achieve the described benefits of the presently disclosed a quick-release attachment mechanism for load-bearing carriers. Additionally, one of ordinary skill will appreciate that the elements and features from the illustrated implementations herein can be optionally included to achieve the described benefits of the presently disclosed a quick-release attachment mechanism for load-bearing carriers. Various modifications to and departures from the disclosed implementations will occur to those having skill in the art. The subject matter that is intended to be within the spirit of this disclosure is set forth in the following claims.
Claims
1. A system for quick release of devices to a load bearing carriage comprising:
- a load bearing carriage comprising a carriage webbing;
- a device comprising a device webbing; and
- an attachment mechanism adapted for insertion through the carriage webbing and the device webbing thereby securing the device to the load bearing carriage, the attachment mechanism comprising: a body having a first end and a second end, each of the first end and the second comprising a front surface and a rear surface; a strap coupled proximate to one of the first end and the second end, said strap having a free end having a portion hanging over the one of the first end and the second end; a tab comprising a top face, said tab coupled to the free end of the strap such that the tab comprises a free tab end positionable between a first configuration and a second configuration with respect to the body, wherein:
- in the first configuration, the tab free end is folded over the respective one of the first end and the second end such that the rear surface of the body is between the strap and the top face of the tab; and
- in the second configuration, the tab free end is folded between the strap and the front surface of the body.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the strap comprises a first strap coupled to the first end and a second strap coupled to the second end.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the tab comprises a handle.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the tab is coupled to the strap at a midpoint of the tab.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the tab is pivotably coupled to the strap.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the strap is layered on the body such that the free end of the strap is hingedly coupled to the body.
7. An attachment mechanism for attaching a device to a platform, the attachment mechanism comprising:
- a body having a first end, a second end, a front side, and a rear side;
- a tab coupled to one of the first end and the second end of the body such that the tab is manipulable between a first position and a second position, the first position being in front side of the front side of body and the second position being in front of the rear side of the body.
8. The attachment mechanism of claim 7, further comprising a connector hingedly coupled to the front side of the body, said connector coupling the tab to the one of the first end and the second end.
9. The attachment mechanism of claim 8, wherein in the first position, the tab is folded between the front side of the body and the connector.
10. The attachment mechanism of claim 8, wherein in the second position, the tab is folded in front of the rear side of the body such that the body is between the connector and the tab.
11. The attachment mechanism of claim 8, wherein the connector is attached to the tab proximate to the midpoint of the tab.
12. The attachment mechanism of claim 7, further comprising a handle coupled to the tab.
13. The attachment mechanism of claim 7, wherein the connector has a first connector end and a second connector end, and the connector is a layer affixed to the front side of the body such that the first connector end and the second connector end are detached from the front side thereby allowing hinged movement the first connector end and the second connector end with respect to the body, and wherein a portion of each of the first connector end and the second connector end hangs over the respective first end and second end.
14. The attachment mechanism of claim 7, wherein the tab comprises a first tab coupled to the first end and a second tab coupled to the second end, each of the first tab and second tab being manipulable between a first position and a second position, the first position being in front of the front side of the body and the second position being in front of the rear side of the body.
15. An attachment mechanism adapted for weaving a device to a platform, the attachment mechanism comprising:
- a body having a first end and a second end, each of the first end and the second comprising a front surface and a rear surface;
- a strap coupled proximate to one of the first end and the second end, said strap having a free end having a portion hanging over the one of the first end and the second end;
- a tab comprising a top face, said tab coupled to the free end of the strap such that the tab comprises a free tab end positionable between a first configuration and a second configuration with respect to the body, wherein:
- in the first configuration, the tab free end is folded over the respective one of the first end and the second end such that the rear surface of the body is between the strap and the top face of the tab; and
- in the second configuration, the tab free end is folded between the strap and the front surface of the body.
16. The attachment mechanism of claim 15, wherein the strap comprises a first strap coupled to the first end and a second strap coupled to the second end.
17. The attachment mechanism of claim 15, wherein the tab comprises a handle.
18. The attachment mechanism of claim 15, wherein the tab is coupled to the strap at a midpoint of the tab.
19. The attachment mechanism of claim 15, wherein the tab is pivotably coupled to the strap.
20. The attachment mechanism of claim 15, wherein the strap is layered on the body such that the free end of the strap is hingedly coupled to the body.
21-37. (canceled)
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 25, 2012
Publication Date: Sep 20, 2012
Inventor: Paul Alan Carter (Fayetteville, NC)
Application Number: 13/358,299
International Classification: A45F 5/00 (20060101);